A DISABLED deaf woman was raped by a teenage boy in Nantwich early yesterday.

The 35-year-old victim was grabbed by her attacker as she walked through the town centre, minutes after leaving her friend following a night out.

He dragged her for several yards into a secluded car park where he raped her.

Last night, the victim, who suffered cuts and bruises, was said to have been severely traumatised by her ordeal. Her attacker, who had a cycle with him, is believed to be aged just 15 or 16.

Detective Inspector Neil Ellwood, of Crewe CID, described the attack as 'savage'.

He said: 'This was a horrible act on a vulnerable lady. She raised the alarm after walking to her nearby home and complaining to her daughter who then called the police.'

The woman had spent the evening with a male friend in Nantwich town centre.

At about 1am, they decided to get a takeaway. The woman went into a fish and chip shop on Pillary Street while her companion went into a fast food shop next door.

Before going inside, the pair agreed to walk home separately.

A few minutes later, the woman came out of the shop and stumbled in the street. She was caught by a teenage boy who began to drag her away. She struggled but he forced her into a nearby alley, then into the car park at the back of the Safeway supermarket, in Love Lane, where he raped her.

The attacker is described as white and of thin build. He had dark eyes and short dark brown hair with sideburns. His hair was either greasy or gelled.

He wore a black long-sleeved Adidas top with white stripes down the sleeves, and black or dark trousers.

His bicycle had a distinctive orange suspension and the rest of the frame was dark blue or black.

Det Insp Ellwood said he was confident the rapist would soon be caught. He added: 'We think that the offender is local and the incident will have been witnessed.'

Anyone with information should contact the CID at Crewe on 01244-613320 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111.